Tour de Mont Blanc

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the great hiking tours in the world. On this guided TMB tour, we’ll cross countless passes and trek through three countries – France, Italy, and Switzerland – as we circumnavigate Mont Blanc, at 15,781 feet, the highest mountain in the Alps.
We’ll hike through spectacular valleys and stay in a combination of 3-star village hotels and remote Refugio’s. The Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an epic trek – a great opportunity to meet hikers from around the world and enjoy rich variety of cultures, cuisines and views. In keeping with the adventurous nature of the tour, we’ve designed a spirited itinerary, we will stay at mixture of alpine guest houses, mountain refugios and hotels. Showers will be available at most places we stay at, and our village hotels will feature private double/tripple rooms and bathrooms.

Leader/Guide: Marek Wencel

Price: $3,000

GENERAL ITINERARY: Aug 17-28 2018

Day 1 (Aug 17) Arrive Les Houches
The pretty village of Les Houches is easily accessible by either train or shuttle from Geneva Airport in just over an hour. On arrival you can settle into your comfortable hotel, stroll through the town and get ready for your adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc.Dinner & Overnight: Les Houches (15min from Chamonix)

Day 2 (Aug 18) Les Houches - Bellevue (1801m) – Les Contamines
Your Tour du Mont Blanc starts with either a climb from Les Houches out of the Chamonix Valley to Bellevue(1801m) a quick 10 minute ride on the Bellevue telepherique.
At Bellevue (1801m) you have the option of taking the tough route via Chalet de Miage, which is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnasay as you pass just beneath the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. After passing the idyllic Chalet de Miage you descend to Les Contamines.
The easier option winds through beautiful forests and through alpine pastures via Bionnassay to Les Contamines.Walk via Bionnassay: 16km, 5 Hours, 646m Ascent, 633m DescentWalk via Chalets de Miage: 18km, 7.5 Hours, 1478m ascent, 1318m descentDinner & Overnight: at Les Contamines

Day 3 ( Aug 19) Les Contamines – Col Bonhomme (2329m) – Refuge des Mottets/Les Chapieux
A gentle start from Les Contamines for the first 5km along the valley floor to chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge (shuttle transfer possible). Here the path turns upwards and climbs steadily on the Chemin Roman through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve towards the distant Col du Bonhomme. A steady climb reveals increasingly rugged views of the high peaks and you quickly reach the rugged landscapes of the Col du Bonhomme (2329 m).
A further hour on rough and rocky ground brings up the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. Here you can either climb over the Col des Fours (2665m) and descend steeply to Refuge des Mottets or alternatively descend to Les Chapieux.Walk to Refuge des Mottets:16km, 1500m Ascent, 900m Descent, 8 HoursWalk to Les Chapieux: 18km, 1316m Ascent, 929m Descent, 7 – 7.5 Hours.Dinner & Overnight: at Refuge des Mottets which is an idyllically located mountain refuge that was refurbished recently and has comfortable private rooms and is well known for its hearty evening meals.

Day 4 ( Aug 20) Refuge des Mottets to Courmayeur)
The Col de la Seigne (2516m) and lies a steep 750m above the Refuge des Mottets and is where you leave France for Italy. Just wait until you see the view! Stupendous! The steep southern side of the Mont Blanc Massif, made up of jagged peaks, hanging glaciers and plunging waterfalls, seems close enough to touch. The trail descends through high alpine meadows past refuge Elisabetta into the Val Veni.
Here you must choose either the tough option which climbs via Col Chécrouit to Courmayeur or the easy option of continuing past the snout of the huge Glacier du Miage to Visaille, where you catch the shuttle bus into Courmayeur.Walk to Courmayeur: 27.5km, 1160m Ascent, 1818m Descent, 8 – 9 HoursAlternative: This is a really long day if you follow the official route all the way to Courmayeur via Col Chécrouit. It can be shortened by catching the bus from La Visaille in the Val Veni to Courmayeur. This cuts about 10km, 500m ascent and 1100m descent from the day. If you want to walk this section we suggest adding an extra night in Courmayeur and returning to La Visaille the next day to walk this section.Overnight: at Courmayeur

Day 5 (Aug 21) Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti
In good weather the walk from Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable of your Tour du Mont Blanc. Choose from three variations for the next section, all of which start with a steep climb from Courmayeur. The main route then contours around the flank of Mont de la Saxe on an undulating path giving you plenty of time to take in the dramatic icy panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif and Grand Jorasses across the valley.
The variants via Col Sapin or Mont de la Saxe include more climbing but the views are arguably better. Whichever route you choose Refugio Bonatti, the crème de la crème of alpine refuges, marks the end of your day.Walk: 12km, 860m Ascent, 698m descent, 4.5 hours. (The variants almost double the ascent and add 2 hours)Dinner & Overnight: at Refugio Bonatti
The privately owned Refugio Bonatti has a reputation as one of the best in the Alps. You will have a private twin room. Your bags cannot be transferred to Bonatti due to a lack of road access so you will need to carry a few overnight things with you.

Day 7 ( Aug 23) La Fouly to Champex
Walking through the Val Ferret with its patchwork of peaceful forests and green pastures is balm for the body and soul as this is the easiest stage of the TMB. On the way to Champex you will be walking on some of the quietest trails in the Mont Blanc Massif. The village of Les Arlaches, made up of traditional wooden Swiss Chalets, seems to have leapt from a postcard and is a highlight of the day. Your overnight stop is the lakeside town of Champex.Walk: 15km, 4.5 Hours, Ascent: 450m, Descent: 550mDinner & Overnight: at Champex

Day 8 ( Aug 24) Champex - Trient
The official route goes via Alp Bovine, a splendid walk through pine and larch forests interspersed with alpine meadows and wonderful views down the Rhône Valley.
Alternatively the demanding variant goes via the spectacular Fenêtre d’Arpette to the Trient Valley. Climbing to 2665m it’s a challenging and exposed route but worth every step. Whichever route you choose you will end the day by descending right to the valley floor to the small village of Trient.Walk via Alp Bovine: 17.5km, 700m Ascent: 840 m Descent, 5.5 Hours.Walk via Fenêtre d’Arpette: 15.5km, 1184m Ascent, 1330m descent, 7 Hours!Dinner & Overnight: at Trient
Nestled deep in the valley Trient is always bursting with walkers on the Tour du Mont Blanc and Walkers Haut Route and both of these hostelries cater admirably for them.

Day 9 ( Aug 25) Trient - Col de La Balme – Tré le Champ – Argentière
From Trient, you climb to reach the French border at Col de Balme (2191 m). From the col the entire Mont Blanc Massif stretches ahead; the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glaciers! The route then continues via the Col des Posettes and Aiguillette des Posettes, with wonderful views throughout, before descending into the Chamonix Valley at Tré le Champ.Walk: 11.5km, 1069m Ascent, 950m Descent, 5 HoursDinner & Overnight: at Argentière

Day 10 ( Aug 26) Argentière to Planpraz
The next two days are in my opinion the highlight of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The views across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc Massif are outstanding throughout. From your hotel the trail climbs via Aiguillette de Argentière to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges, taking in a few fixed ladders on the way. You are now in the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of Ibex, Marmot and many other furry creatures are common. You continue to climb to Lac Blanc, where the idyllically situated refuge is the perfect spot for lunch. Another hour of descent brings you to the cable car station at Le Flégère, continue past the cable car and take the 'Balcon Sud' route traversing across the mountain side with stunning views of Mont Blanc as you go. The balcony route arrives at Planpraz where you can take the cable car down to the centre of Chamonix.Walk: 12km, 6-7 Hours, Ascent: 1450m, Descent: 800mOvernight: at Chamonix

Day 11 ( Aug 27) Planpraz to Les Houches
Begin your day by catching the cable car back up to Planpraz. For your last day on the Tour du Mont Blanc you have several options. The toughest, but most rewarding takes you all the way to Les Houches via the Col du Brevant & the rocky pedestal of the le Brévent (2525m). Mont Blanc seems within touching distance on the opposite side of the valley. Descent past Lac Brevent and traverse onwards to Bel Lachat before making the descent to Les Houches and a short bus or train ride will take you back to Chamonix. This day can be shortened at several points. Chamonix is the centre of mountaineering in the French Alps and always a hive of activity and is the perfect place to celebrate the end of your walk around Mont Blanc.Walk: 11km, 430m Ascent, 1530m Descent, 6 HoursOvernight: at Chamonix

Day 12: ( Aug 28) Return Home Chamonix is a great base to spend a couple of days and we would recommend that you add extra nights here. You can enjoy some fabulous walking in the Aiguilles Rouge Park, take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3795m or perhaps the train to the Montenvers on the Mer de Glace. If you are heading home there are numerous shuttles, buses and trains back to Geneva and throughout France.

PRICE INCLUDES:

All accomodationd during trek-total of twelve nights at hotels and mountain huts.

All lifts and cable train tickets as per itinerary

Breakfasts while in Chamonix/ Breakfasts+Dinners while in mountain huts (during trek).

Visa info:

To enter France, there is no visa requirement for US Citizens. The best way to get to Chamonix is either via Geneva or Zurich

Insurance

Crew Treks strongly recommends that you enroll with Global Rescue prior to embarking on this trip. Please click on the link below for details and quotes.
The prices are reasonable and the signup process is simple.https://www.globalrescue.com/partner/crewtreks/
We strongly encourage everyone to purchase travel insurance, which covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, etc.
Travel insurance offers the best possible protection if you have a sudden, unexpected illness or injury prior to or when traveling.
Here are some useful links:http://www.travelguard.comhttp://www.travelexinsurance.com/quote/?nc=1